Disappointment over Cala Mosca protected area

AFTER years of battling to save the last part of undeveloped land on the Orihuela Costa, there is disappointment amongst protesters over the future of Cala Mosca.

The Valencian Government declared part of Cala Mosca a protected area to conserve the two endangered species present on Orihuela Costa’s last kilometre of natural coast, but the resolution does not prevent building completely. It prohibits building along a narrow strip of land following the coast, where no construction would have been allowed under the Costas law.

Campaigner to preserve the site, Bob Houliston from the C.L.A.R.O. party said: “What the Popular Party controlled Valencia government has approved is protection of the interests of the developer and not protection of the endangered plant. This is shameful and shows that the Regional Government is up to the usual trick of protecting the interests of the developer and not protecting the environment or the interests of residents and tourists who greatly value this last piece of green land which should not be covered by 1,500 new houses or apartments.”

This summer C.L.A.R.O. collected 2,000 objections to the developer’s latest building plans which would allow public spaces, parks, gardens and car parking to be situated where the protected plant, the Cabeza de Gato and the Tudorella Mauritanica snail are found.

Councillor for the Environment, Manuel Gallud of the Los Verdes green party of Orihuela, has already announced an appeal, as the small protection area “is not enough to fully protect the endangered species.”